KR20080022130A - An integrated decontamination/aeration system for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

An integrated duct system is utilized to admit an antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle to decontaminate the contents and surfaces of the vehicle and subsequently to remove the vapor. The ducts comprise an air conditioning and/or heating duct, a decontamination duct for admitting an antimicrobial vapor, an auxiliary circulation duct for diffusing the vapor throughout the vehicle, and an aeration duct for removing the vapor from the vehicle, as well as a catalytic converter for detoxifying the antimicrobial vapor before removal. The integrated decontamination system is suitable for the chemical or biological decontamination of vehicles, provides enhanced vapor delivery and distribution on a rapid basis and also provides for rapid aeration for removing the antimicrobial vapor. ® KIPO & WIPO 2008

Description

Integrated decontamination / ventilation system for vehicles {AN INTEGRATED DECONTAMINATION / AERATION SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES}

The present invention relates to an integrated duct system that allows the introduction of antimicrobial vapor into a vehicle in an effective and rapid manner (short cycle time), diffusion and rapid removal of such vapor from the vehicle.

To date, decontamination of vehicles has included a number of methods, such as vacuuming the floor of the vehicle, trapping these particles by passing air, dust, debris, etc. removed, and / or eliminating their toxicity. It was. Another commonly used method involves cleaning various parts of a vehicle, such as bactericides that kill bacteria.

This method was not very effective as it did not kill various types of antimicrobial compounds or eliminate toxicity, and often various parts of the vehicle were not simply processed.

US Publication No. 2003/0138344, published July 24, 2003, relates to a system for handling mail in the form of modular installations that can be separated from the environment. Modular installations include an enclosure or sorting area for receiving and sorting incoming mail. The decontamination system receives sorted mail and decontaminates the mail with an antimicrobial gas such as ethylene oxide. A clean room separated and separated from the enclosure by the decontamination system is used to receive the processed mail from the decontamination system and to sort the mail for distribution. A source of decontamination gas, such as hydrogen peroxide vapor, is fluidly connected to the enclosure to provide decontamination gas to the enclosure if the sorting room is contaminated or suspected of being contaminated with pathogenic biologics or chemicals.

US Publication No. 2004/0184950, published on September 23, 2004, states that when contamination by microorganisms is introduced into an enclosure's room, such as a building, the HVAC system, including the supply and return ductlines, is decontaminated with hydrogen peroxide vapor. It is related to being. The decontamination controller circulates hydrogen peroxide vapor from the hydrogen peroxide vapor generator through the duct line through a controllable baffle at the outlet register, a temporarily controllable baffle at the inlet register, and both front and rear. Activate the blower system. In addition, at least a portion of the baffle is closed such that there is a residence time at which hydrogen peroxide vapor is present in the ductline in an extremely small or vortex flow.

Summary of the Invention

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an integrated duct system for decontaminating a vehicle. Decontamination ducts provide antimicrobial vapor to vehicles to remove contamination from various microorganisms in the vehicle. To increase microbial rescue rates, it is possible to rapidly diffuse antimicrobial vapors and create sufficient vortices to provide large amounts of gas, such as air, to reach and contact all contents, articles and surfaces in the vehicle. Circulation ducts are provided. In one embodiment, a catalytic converter is used for toxic removal of microbial vapors such as hydrogen peroxide (VHP) into water and oxygen. A ventilation duct is also provided to purge the vehicle with antimicrobial steam and supply gas such as air to reduce any residual vapor level in the vehicle to a low and safe amount.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for decontamination of a vehicle is provided. The method includes providing a decontamination duct to the vehicle and introducing antimicrobial vapor into the vehicle through the duct. The vehicle is also equipped with an auxiliary circulation duct for introducing gas into the vehicle to diffuse the antimicrobial vapor. The vehicle is also equipped with a ventilation duct for exhausting unreacted antimicrobial vapor from the vehicle. In addition, a catalytic converter is provided for removing the toxicity of the antimicrobial vapor before the antimicrobial vapor is exhausted from the vehicle.

An advantage of the present invention is that the entire interior of the vehicle can be effectively treated with antimicrobial vapor to remove the contamination of the vehicle. Another advantage is that the vehicle includes an antibacterial generator such as a hydrogen peroxide vapor generator. Another advantage is that during the decontamination cycle, the antimicrobial vapor can be recycled through the vehicle to ensure that all surfaces are protected. Another advantage is that the vehicle can be quickly decontaminated and vented.

1 is a diagram of an illustrative vehicle, showing an integrated duct system used to introduce as well as remove antimicrobial vapor.

Vehicles that can be processed by the integrated duct system of the present invention include: emergency medical safety management (EMS) vehicles, including any vehicles that can be used to treat patients, including ambulances and patient transport vehicles; Military vehicles of various types, including transport vehicles, first aid vehicles, vehicle type hospitals, and the like; As well as several types of aircraft.

In connection with the drawing, the vehicle 10 includes a patient transport zone 12 and a driver or driver's seat zone 14. The two zones are generally separated by walls 16, which may be equipped with doors (not shown) that allow access from one zone to another.

Integrated duct systems use multiple integrated ducts to achieve rapid decontamination of the vehicle. The presence of an air conditioning / heating duct 20 is optional but preferred. Such air conditioning / heating ducts are generally the basic equipment of a manufacturing vehicle and such duct networks are known in the art and in the literature. The air in the vehicle, such as the patient transport zone, should preferably be low humidity to enhance the efficiency of the antimicrobial vapor. Thus, the air conditioner of a vehicle is generally used to initially lower humidity. Optionally, the temperature in the patient zone can be increased by the heater. Air conditioning and / or heating ducts are generally located on the dashboard of the driver's seat 14 and on the vehicle roof and / or sides of the patient transport area 12. Air conditioning / heating systems generally operate separately from the rest of the duct network.

An essential component of the present invention is the presence of a decontamination duct network 30 which supplies antimicrobial vapor to the interior of the vehicle. With respect to other duct networks, such as auxiliary circulation duct network 50 and vent duct network 70, each has a plurality of outlets located along the length of the network from the beginning to the end. With respect to each network, a bidirectional valve is located adjacent to the wall 16 which restricts the article being transported to the patient transport zone 12 or further to the operator zone 14. Each duct network generally includes only one conduit or chamber along the length of the vehicle, there may be branches from the main conduit, or there may be multiple conduits such as two or three. The conduits may extend along the roof area, sidewalls, or both of the vehicle.

The decontamination duct network 30 is provided or supplied with antimicrobial vapor. The antimicrobial compound may be in liquid form, stored in an in-vehicle container (not shown) and, if necessary, heated to produce steam. Alternatively, and often preferably, the vapor may be formed by an antimicrobial generator 40 disposed in the vehicle. Such generators are known from the literature as well. The antimicrobial vapors used to decontaminate the patient compartment of the vehicle or the patient and driver compartments are peroxy compounds such as peracetic acid, or preferably vapors of various aldehydes such as hydrogen peroxide, formaldehyde vapors, various phenols and derivatives thereof. It includes. Examples of specific phenols include catechol, resorcinol and hydroquinone; Alkyl dihydroxybenzenes; Halogen substituted phenols such as chlorophenol, alkyl and / or aromatic substituted chlorophenol; Nitrophenols, dinitrophenols, trinitrophenols, and alkyl or aromatic substituted nitrophenols; Aminophenols; Aromatic, alkyl aromatic and aromatic alkyl substituted phenols; Hydroxide benzoic acid; Bisphenols, bis (hydroxyphenol) alkanes, and hydroxyquinolines such as 8-hydroxyquinoline. The particular vapor type and amount thereof are selected in relation to the desired level of decontamination such as disinfection, sanitation and the like. That is, the devices and methods of the present invention generally result in a reduction in microbial log values of about 3 or more, preferably about 4 or more, preferably about 6 or more. A logarithmic reduction of 6 means that one or less of 1 million microbes remain after exposure to steam. The antimicrobial vapor of the present invention is used to destroy various microorganisms including spores, fungi, mycobacteria, trophic bacteria, protozoa and the like. The steam used also deactivates or destroys other harmful microbial size species and smaller replicating species, especially those that can undergo morphological changes such as prions. Hydrogen peroxide among the various antimicrobial vapors that can be used is preferred because it is environmentally friendly and materially compatible in that the vapor form generally does not adversely affect the various surfaces, items, fibers or materials present in the vehicle.

The antimicrobial compound obtained from the container or generating device 40 is generally treated in a number of operations by preconditioning the unit 41 before being introduced into the decontamination duct network 30. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the antimicrobial compound is first supplied to the dryer 42 to remove moisture and solvents from the antimicrobial compound, and then supplied to the blower 43 to supply the antimicrobial compound with the preheater 45. By passing a filter such as the HEPA filter 47, particulates such as dust and the like are removed. Finally, vaporizer 49 heats the antimicrobial compound to a temperature above the boiling point. The antimicrobial generating device 40 and the preconditioning unit 41 may be located in the vehicle or located outside as shown.

The antimicrobial steam from the preconditioning unit 41 is then supplied to the decontamination duct network 30 through an inlet valve 31 which blocks any steam from entering the duct system or allows the steam to pass freely. When the valve 31 is open, the blower 43 will push the steam through the decontamination duct 30 so that the steam will travel along the length of the duct and be released to various outlets in the patient zone 12. . When steam is preferably introduced into the driver or cab area 14, the bidirectional cab valve 32 is opened. The antimicrobial vapor thus enters and permeates at least the patient zone 12 to remove contamination of the various surfaces, items, devices, and the like contained therein. If the cab valve 32 is open, the steam will also decontaminate the cab area, but the decontamination cycle time will be longer because decontamination of the additional zone is removed.

To reduce the decontamination cycle time, an auxiliary circulation duct network 50 is used. As shown in the figure, the secondary circulation duct 50 includes an inlet valve 51 to allow ambient air to be introduced, and through the high capacity secondary blower 53, the air through the circulation network 50 to the patient zone ( 12), and when the circulation duct cab valve 55 is opened, it is supplied to the cab area (14). The flow rate of air, or optionally less preferably, other gases, is much greater than the flow rate of the steam passing through the decontamination duct 30. In general, the ratio of air through the secondary circulation duct 50 to the antimicrobial vapor is generally about 1 to about 20 times or 50 times greater in volume. This high flow rate circulates, diffuses and allows the ingress or arrival of antimicrobial vapor through the patient compartment, and optionally through the driver's compartment.

To replenish the additional air supplied to the vehicle, the outlet duct 60 allows air and vapor to be recycled through the vehicle, to the outside atmosphere of the vehicle, or both. Thus, the outlet duct 60 includes a filter, such as a HEPA filter 62, a recycle valve 64, and a catalytic converter 66. In the closed loop form, the bidirectional valve 64 will allow air and steam to be recycled through line 68 to the preconditioning unit 41, which pretracts air, reheats the air, Air and optionally additional liquid sterilant will be vaporized and blown into decontamination duct 30. If substantially all of the recirculating air and steam is recycled, the auxiliary circulation duct 50 will close through the inlet valve 51. Alternatively, some of the recycled air and steam is recycled and the remainder is fed to a catalytic converter 66 which removes the toxicity of the antimicrobial vapor before it is released to the earth's atmosphere. Thus, when the steam and recycle air are partially recycled, the amount of additional recycle air entering through the auxiliary circulation duct 50 is generally equal to the amount released through the catalytic converter 66. Generally in the form of an open loop in which all of the air in the patient compartment and optionally in the driver's seat zone is exhausted to the atmosphere through the outlet duct 60, the recirculation valve 64 remains open, so that steam is introduced into the catalytic converter 66 Toxicity is eliminated.

The decontamination cycle is allowed to continue for a predetermined time period that effectively destroys or deactivates the microorganisms that are judged to be present or expected. After this time has elapsed, the decontamination duct valve 31 is closed. If the auxiliary circulation inlet valve 51 is open, it is also closed, causing the auxiliary blower 52 to stop operating.

Aeration duct network 70 is used to purge the remaining unused antimicrobial vapor in deactivating or destroying various microorganisms. As shown in FIG. 1, the ventilation duct network includes an inlet valve 72 to introduce air from the outside of the vehicle, and the blower 74 passes air through the ventilation duct network 70 to deliver the antimicrobial vapor to the vehicle. From the driver's seat area 14 through the driver's seat valve 73 and also as needed. The purged steam is forced through the outlet duct 60, through the filter, and detoxification is removed via the catalytic converter 66 after the recirculation valve 64 is closed. Catalytic converters are known in the art and in the literature and when the antimicrobial vapor is hydrogen peroxide, the hydrogen peroxide is converted to water and oxygen. The vent duct network is operated until the vapor level in the vehicle is measured to be below a safe level, such as 1 ppm, as measured by vapor phase hydrogen peroxide by a real-time concentration sensor. Optionally, the incoming aeration air can be heated to further optimize the aeration of the antimicrobial vapor.

The integrated duct system facilitates microorganisms, such as foam seat cushiion, insulation, etc., by using various fans through the closed zone (s) to effectively diffuse vapor into all zones. By using materials that do not absorb, they can be further modified to provide a fast, efficient decontamination cycle.

Another aspect of the invention includes the use of various devices to automate various cycles, such as the amount of antimicrobial vapor entering the vehicle, the time and temperature of the decontamination cycle, the time of the secondary circulation cycle, the time and temperature of the aeration cycle, and the like. do. For example, a remote hydrogen peroxide sensor may be present in the vehicle to measure the concentration of steam supplied to the station or location outside of the vehicle via the integrated feedback system. Thus, the operator can control the vapor concentration before or after the circulation duct network 50 is used, or both. Similarly, at the start of the venting system, the operator can measure that the concentration of vapor in the vehicle has decreased from a safe location to a safe and low level.

According to the invention, although the best mode and preferred embodiments have been mentioned, the scope of the invention should not be limited thereto, but should be limited by the appended claims.

Claims (19)

Decontamination ducts capable of supplying antimicrobial vapor to vehicles; An auxiliary circulation duct for diffusing air into the vehicle; A ventilation duct for removing the antimicrobial vapor from the vehicle; And An integrated duct system for decontamination of a vehicle, comprising a catalytic converter for removing the toxicity of the antimicrobial vapor. 2. The integrated duct system of claim 1, comprising an auxiliary blower capable of supplying air to said circulation duct, and a ventilator blower capable of supplying air to said ventilation duct. 3. The integrated duct system of claim 2, wherein the antimicrobial vapor is a peroxy compound, an aldehyde, or a phenol or derivative thereof and comprises an outlet duct capable of venting air and steam from the vehicle. 4. The integrated duct system of claim 3 including an antimicrobial vapor generating device located within the vehicle. 4. The integrated duct system of claim 3, comprising air conditioning and / or heating ducts, wherein the steam is hydrogen peroxide and comprises a hydrogen peroxide generating device. 6. The integrated duct system of claim 5, comprising a recycle line for recycling the hydrogen peroxide. 10. The integrated duct system of claim 1, wherein the vapor can reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 3. 5. The integrated duct system of claim 4, wherein the steam can reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 4 and includes a catalytic converter to detoxify the steam. 7. The integrated duct system of claim 6, wherein the steam can reduce the decontamination log value by about 6 or more. Providing a decontamination duct in the vehicle, introducing antimicrobial vapor through the duct into the vehicle; Providing an auxiliary circulation duct in the vehicle and introducing gas into the vehicle to diffuse the antimicrobial vapor; Providing a vent duct in the vehicle to exhaust the antimicrobial vapor and the gas from the vehicle; And Providing a catalytic converter for removing the toxicity of the antimicrobial vapor to the vehicle. The method of claim 10, wherein the steam is a peroxy compound, an aldehyde, or a phenol or a derivative thereof and comprises an outlet duct capable of venting the steam and the gas. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the vapor is hydrogen peroxide, the gas introduced into the circulation duct is the air, and includes an auxiliary blower for supplying the air to the circulation duct, and for supplying air to the ventilation duct. A decontamination method for a vehicle, comprising an air blower. 13. The decontamination of the vehicle of claim 12, comprising a hydrogen peroxide generating device and comprising an air conditioning and / or heating duct for introducing wet or heated air into the vehicle. Way. The method of claim 10, comprising a closed circulation loop in which the discharged vapor and the gas are recycled back to the vehicle. 13. The method of claim 12, comprising a closed circulation loop in which the discharged vapor and the gas are recycled back to the vehicle. The method of claim 10, wherein the steam can reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 4. 12. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the steam can reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 3. The method of claim 13, wherein the steam may reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 4. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the steam can reduce the decontamination log value by at least about 6.

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